Disclaimer: I own nothing

Just like that sneaking feeling had warned her, things started to become more pressured. Every time Ron and her would meet there would be a red rose and he'd give it to her as if they were on a date. At first Hermione tried not to accept it but found later that her attempts were unfruitful. Ron had that cheerful almost childish sparkle in his eye constantly. It unnerved her to no extent.

He seemed to have the idea he could court her all over again. That the idea that they had spoken of at the Weasley's party had started that very moment. Hermione had made a mistake. She had taken two steps forward and three back.

She was getting absolutely nowhere.

Stuck in a time everyone wanted to remember. Everyone but her.

Though time didn't stop, Emma's graduation and her party were moving nearer and nearer. Harry, Ron, and her had all sat down and were now done with their speech. They were mostly pleased with it and agreed that if the moment struck them they could go off the written speech a bit though Hermione strongly discouraged it.

Hermione had become more uptight since the Trio had been reunited. She felt like she was that bossy seventeen year old love sick girl again. She let Harry and Ron talk over her. Her house became more neat as if she couldn't stand a single speck of dust. She was stepping back in time once more. She was depending more and more on Harry and Ron. It was like once again her life, her happiness, was tied to theirs. Her life was no longer her own.

She felt trapped and the scary part was, some part of her didn't mind. It was familiar, she had lived like this before.

To add to all this Draco was owling her non stop but so far never when Harry and Ron were in her presence.

Hermione walked into the living room, with a thoughtful expression gracing her soft face. Her apron still tied around her small waist from the Brownies she was baking. She whipped her head around towards the fireplace to see Harry and Ron walked out. Harry stepped to the side and swiped the ash off his clothes. Ron stepped out of the fireplace with a single red rose in his hand that was now black with burn. Hermione chuckled taking it from his hand and rushing into the kitchen to put it in a waiting vase. Ron followed her a dazed smile on his face. Hermione set it up all pretty in a vase and turned to Ron.

"My masterpiece is finished!" announced a grinning Hermione checking behind her for Ron's expression, which was a small chuckle at her silliness before walking back into the living room to help Harry sent things up.

"Hermione? I brought the movies where's the Telly?" called Harry's voice warmly.

"I shrunk it down it's behind the Piano just restore it to it's normal size," Hermione answered cutting the pan of Brownies.

Ron shuffled around the room checking to make sure she was out of hearing distance before walking over to where Harry was.

"What'ya think?"

Harry turned away from the now huge TV, "Like in general or is there a specific area in which you'd like my opinion?"

Ron punched his arm before returning them to his jean pockets, "You know what I mean! Hermione."

Harry grinned, "Well, she can make a mean cup of tea."

"No! Honestly! Do you think she likes me again? She's been acting more like she used to lately."

Harry sighed before sitting down on the couch opposite the TV, "I don't know Ron but don't try anything yet ok? We just got her not to try and kill you."

"Try what?" asked Hermione walking in with a plate of Brownies in her hands.

"Nothing," Harry dismissed but spoke again after seeing the suspicious look on Hermione's face, "Brownies! Great, I think we got everything. Come on Hermione, sit down"

Hermione looked wearily at him before sitting between Harry and Ron.

Harry reached for the DVD remote and played the movie.

"What did you get?"

"Star Wars episode III," answered Harry cheerfully.

"Geeks," Hermione teased.

"Hey, you're the one who made us watch this in 5th year!" Harry reached over and took a large bite out of his brownie.

"I blame you for my addiction," he stated simply, receiving a loud laugh from Hermione and Ron.

"Well, it's not my fault that Ron didn't get have my jokes, he had to see it!"

"What jokes?" asked Ron who had purposefully but subtly moved closer to Hermione while reaching over her for a brownie.

"You know there would be a short person in the Library trying to place a book back on a high shelf and they wouldn't quite make it. So I get your attention and whisper, 'Use the force' then you'd look at me like I was mental," explained Hermione.

Ron grinned, "No, not because I thought you were mental because you'd interrupt our make out sessions for those jokes."

Harry knew this was heading for tense ground so he pointed to the screen, "Shhh!"

Hermione turned around and on the screen were the famous words,

"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away," Ron read in the movie phone voice.

Hermione looked at him before laughing.

Halfway between Harry and Ron's (mostly Ron's) 'wows' and Hermione sinking further between the cushions, Hermione felt Ron's arm snake around her shoulder.

One thought.

SHI-OT.

His arm finally made it safely to her other shoulder he started to gently urge her to lean into his shoulder. Hermione had to fight the urge to cuddle into him. Just when she thought she'd fail in her battle there was a scrapping on the window. Hermione shot up sending Ron's hand falling on a spare pillow.

Without thinking of who the letter might be from she rushed over to the window and opened it. Harry paused the movie just before it moved to a mushy sad scene between Padmé and Anakin. Harry stretched out making use of the spot where Hermione used to be. Ron reached over and turned on the lamp spreading light over the room.

Hermione's brown eyes moved over the envelope in her hands. Finally her eyes caught on the sender's name written in beautiful cursive handwriting.

Draco Malfoy

Harry yawned and looked towards Hermione's old grandfather clock; it read 12:45 AM in the evening.

"Hermione, do you often get owls this late?"

Ron must have sensed something was off because he got up and stepped behind Hermione so to look over her shoulder.

As soon as his eyes found Malfoy's name his hand reached over and snatched the letter out of her hand. Hermione whipped looked outraged that he dare snatch her letter out of her hands.

"That is my letter!" she cried reaching for it.

"Do you still speak with him?" asked Ron a cold voice.

"That is none of your business!" Hermione hissed angrily.

"Who sent it Ron?" asked Harry alarmed at the situation.

Ron tossed it down on the table toward Harry, "Malfoy," he spat out he name with clear disgust, "She's been speaking with him!"

Hermione couldn't help but lose her temper, "Technically, it's writing genius and don't you think just because I'm wearing an apron doesn't mean, I can't kick your ass!"

Harry gave them a look that reminded them both of their late Professor Dumbledore.

Hermione crossed her arms with a glare close to Mrs. Weasley's on her face. Ron threw her a look of mistrust but Harry just made a move to open the letter.

"Uh! Excuse me! My business! My house! My bloody letter!" Hermione yelped trying to reach for her letter once again, though this time Harry handed it back to her.

"Now listen, this is my life and if I want to keep in touch with an old friend that is my business!"

Ron opened his mouth but Hermione cut him off, "Now sit your happy asses down and watch Star Wars!"

Ron glared at her for a moment only to be met my Hermione's own. Ron trudged off toward the couch and sat muttering. Harry turned back on the movie. Hermione walked behind the couch and headed toward the kitchen.

Ron popped his red head over the back of the couch, "Where are you going?" he asked in a sorry tone.

Hermione didn't even turn, "I am going to go read my letter."

And read it she did. He wanted to meet. Tomorrow. Should she do it? She turned her head and looked down the hall toward Harry and Ron. They both had their mouths open and seemed to be watching the fight seen in shock. She hoped her choice wouldn't harm her reconnection with her old friends.

I'm trying my hardest to drag it out just a bit longer but I'm feeling that maybe it's starting to lose some quality. Well Review please.